---
title: "Exclusive: Graham Roberts says Tanguy Ndombele isn’t cut out for the Premier League"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/exclusive-graham-roberts-says-tanguy-ndombele-isnt-cut-out-for-the-premier-league/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Jake Sanders"
section: "Exclusive"
published: "2021-08-20T06:40:14Z"
modified: "2021-08-20T06:40:14Z"
---

# Exclusive: Graham Roberts says Tanguy Ndombele isn’t cut out for the Premier League

**Former Tottenham captain Graham Roberts has slammed Tanguy Ndombele’s attitude – and exclusively told the Transfer Tavern the Frenchman simply can’t cope with the pace of the Premier League.**

Ndombele was signed by Mauricio Pochettino for a [club-record](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48841318) fee from Lyon two years ago, but the odd moment of brilliant aside, he’s generally struggled to justify his hefty transfer fee.

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Following a tricky first 12 months under Pochettino and then Jose Mourinho, the midfielder appeared to settle down last term and found his best form, one exquisite individual effort against Sheffield United a prime example of his quality.

However, Ndombele then hardly featured under Ryan Mason and after failing to play a single minute in pre-season, was left out of Nuno Espirito Santo’s first game in charge against Manchester City.

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The Spurs boss recently [confirmed](https://www.football.london/tottenham-hotspur-fc/fixtures-results/nuno-lautaro-kane-ndombele-romero-21259329) that his absence wasn’t injury-related, with the 24-year-old not deemed ready to be playing games.

It’s not yet unclear whether Ndombele will remain a Tottenham player after the window closes later this month, but Roberts told **[The Transfer Tavern](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/)** that he isn’t suited to English football:

*“His attitude over the last two years has not been good enough. I think he struggles in the Premier League; I think the pace of the game is very quick and he can’t cover the ground.*

*“He has got great ability, but if you can’t run or work hard, you’re not going to be in the Premier League. It’s like walking football.”*